Ambergris Caye Yoga Retreat, Ambergris Caye Eco Resort, Ak'bol, Belize
The seed was planted 15 years ago to get away from the cold, sell out, pack up the kids and move to Belize... owners Milio and Kirsten made the dream a goal by cultivating ideas each day, the goal manifested into a clear vision and the dream became a reality... Welcome to life unplugged at Ak'bol, Maya for Heart of the Village, Belize’s first Yoga Retreat and Family Eco Resort... we welcome you to this beachfront sanctuary, located on the tranquil North side of Belize’s largest island, Ambergris Caye, just a quarter mile from the second largest Barrier Reef in the world and a bike ride away from the old fishing village of San Pedro... Isla Bonita.
Be at one with nature within our Maya village. Awaken to the sound of tropical birds, salute the sun peaking over the reef each morning... and watch the sunset later over the lagoon... Open to all walks of life... Engage in the reef as your playground and snorkel or drop a fishing line off our pier... scuba dive, sail, windsurf and go kayaking... go barefoot in the warm, white sand... unwind to the natural rhythm of the island with daily yoga classes... read in a hammock overlooking the crystal clear blue-green sea or within our meditation gardens... swim leisurely in the winding lagoon-inspired pool or laps at the end of the pier... dine around the beach bar & restaurant for local flavour and morning chit-chat, sample a traditional Belizean meal tableside on the beach or sip a Mango Madness by the pool.
Ak'bol welcomes yoga and wellness retreats all year round as well as weddings, sacred ceremonies and kids camps... Spoil yourself silly with affordable natural spa treatments and renew your spirit with Maya healings...awaken the beauty within. Feel the ancient rhythms of the island... full moon gatherings, drumming circles and Maya study groups offered each month.
Yoga Classes & Workshops
Renew your spirit... join our growing yoga community with a yoga class of the day. Choose from introduction, gentle, restorative & advanced classes... Instructor/Owner, Kirsten Miglio "Tiki" has an eclectic practice inspired by many Masters and styles of yoga which accommodates beginners through advanced... each class focuses on breathing & visualization techniques, asana (postures) and guided relaxation/meditation... Open to all... prenatal, mom & baby, kids yoga, therapeutic, groups, wedding parties and private sessions welcome.
We offer a creative mix of workshops such as meditation, chanting, ayurvedic cooking, full moon gatherings, drumming circles, kirtan and Maya study groups & library... become part of the yoga community at the heart of the village... Ak'bol.
Yoga Retreats
Retreats open to all styles of yoga and wellness education.... let us facilitate a peaceful learning experience. Accoutremants include housing for up to 28 students in our 7 cabanas... healthy buffet-style meals within the dining palapa overlooking the Caribbean... multiple practice spaces... organize day trips to the ruins, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, spa treatments and Maya healings for your spare time.
Break away from your routine... Slow down and immerse yourself in island life... Delve down to free your inner spirit... enhance your yoga practice & uncover your true nature... shine...
The Studios
Ak'bol has two yoga studios/wellness centers:
The octagon yoga palapa called "Mandalily", is a beautiful umbrella-thatched palapa located just off the beach, privately and peacefully sheltered amongst a cluster of sea grape trees, huge agave, coconut trees within a natural spider lily garden... this is a cozy space for discussion groups, smaller yoga & wellness groups, privates, meditation, breathing, kirtan, weddings and sacred ceremonies... this studio has a soothing vibe...
The large yoga palapa, "Satsung"(1400 sq ft) is a grand palapa, lined with orchids, dramatically situated at the end of our 300 foot pier. A special place surrounded by the clear blue sea for larger groups and any type of event... engage in Self. This studio feels sacred!
Immerse yourself into island life... awaken to birdsongs and the tradewinds rustling the palms. Once a coconut plantation, trees are still taller than anything on the land. Individually handcrafted by our proud Belizean crew, each Cabana has been tranquilly positioned with sea views and breeze...
Our Maya village consists of 7 "island chic" private cabanas, texturized throughout with woven thatched ceilings, soothing river rock flooring and mosiac countertops. In the traditional "old school" style, windows are plantation shuttered and accordion front doors open to the sea leading out to your private bush-stick front porch. Carved mahogany sinks with conch shell faucets keep you in the present island moment... Queen beds feature warrior wood headboards with mosquito netting and storage underneath... An indoor/outdoor loft can accommodate additional guests upon request... Bathe privately under the sun or stars in the bamboo, open-air rain shower...
Within our Maya village, there are 3 seafront, 2 sea view and 2 garden sea viewed Cabanas... nestled in a meditation garden with Maya carvings and seating niches... Lily-lined paths lead to a circular, mandala-inspired sacred garden with a canopy of bouganvillias, flowering vines and fragrant plant-life, built especially for weddings, Maya ceremonies and healing treatments... Island simplicity... comfortable... affordable...
On the beach check out our casually hip, people-friendly, laid back bar Shade and "island diner-esque" restaurant Bean just feet from the sea...
Bean offers traditional local favorites like salbutes, panades and pupusas, fresh vegetarian options and international favorites... wood-brick oven thin-crust pizzas, daily homemade desserts and breakfast all day long... Open for breakfast or lunch from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Opening for dinner in October 2008.
At Shade you can sip on naturally fresh-squeezed juices from the organic garden, tropical smoothies, herbal spritzers & teas or choose from our extensive bar menu favorites like the Mi Chelada, Dirty Banana or Stingaritas...
"Tranquil, quaint and perfectly peaceful"... drummer Jim
"Feel at home and a part of the community, affordable"... Miss Harriett
"I feel like I am dining with friends and family... Leah from Dallas
"Casual dining with a wonderful selection"... Crystal from Houston
"Original, one of a kind, creatively unique"... Marilyn
Ak'bol Yoga Retreat & Eco Resort
'North of the Bridge'
San Pedro Town
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Central America
Email: info@akbol.com
Telephone: 011 (501) 226.2073
Cel: 011 (501) 626.6296
May 1st to August 31st:
$100 US seafront
$75 US sea view/garden sea view
September 1st to November 14th:
$135 US seafront
$115 US sea view/garden sea view
November 15th to April 30th:
$150 US seafront
$135 US sea view/garden sea view
Notes:
- Rates are in $US and are per night, based on single or double occupancy and include daily housekeeping and transportation to and from San Pedro airport.
- Children 12 years and under are free - one child per adult
- Each additional guest in same cabana is $20US extra per night
- A 9% Government Hotel Tax and a 6% Service Charge applies
- Minimum 3-night stay on all bookings, Minimum 5-night stay during Holiday Season
- Deposit/Payment Policy: A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation. 30 days prior to check-in the remaining balance is due. We accept Visa/MasterCard.
- Cancellation/Refund Policy: if cancelled 60+ days prior full refund less $50US fee, If cancelled 30-60 days prior 50% refunded, If cancelled less than 30 days no refund. No refunds for no-shows, unused time, travel delays, strikes, political unrest or Mother Nature... including hurricanes.
Yoga Barracks
A three story structure inspired by Maya ruins... first and second floor home to 30 single rooms with shared bath and shower, island-chic Zen locker rooms... double room option and joining rooms for families and friends... one large bed or two single beds...there are hammock community areas on each floor... Affordable Retreats!!
The third floor houses two 2 bedroom suites with 2 1/2 bath, kitchen/dining/thatched
living area.... island luxury... The roof top holds space for our third
large yoga studio over looking the sea and lagoon... sunrise and sunsets.
Weddings
Ak'bol caters to wedding parties... choose from three locations; the grand palapa at the end of the pier, the octagon palapa on the beach or in the Maya garden... serving beach bbq style to island formal, the choice is yours... relax! we'll take care of everything... Email info@akbol.com for more information.
Kids Camps
At Ak'bol we know how it is to travel as a family. Let us ensure your children's safety while you get away and scuba dive, pamper yourself at the spa, fish or spend the day on a romantic sailboat ride. Full or Half-day available... meet new buddies, explore the sea, nature walks, yoga and creative crafts at the Kid's Clubhouse.
Fly Fishing
Many fishermen tell us that there are excellent flat beds for fly-fishing within our undisturbed eco systems naturally formed in front of our beach...
Swimming Pool
Overlooking the Caribbean, our river-rocked pool is located on a natural dip in the land... inspired by a lagoon with a waterfall cascading into a shallow bathing area... initially drawn with a stick, it magically wraps around an island of coconut trees, forming two flowing rivers with a shallow seating-end near the restaurant for socializing... Beside the pool, a playful area is reserved for volleyball, bocce, beanbag tosses etc, complete with a trampoline.
Transportation
Ak'bol is located 1 3/4 miles north of San Pedro Town, a short bike or golf-cart ride away. The water taxi can also pick you up or drop you off at our pier.
Coming Soon:
- Maya Womens Dormitories... come be a part of this secure gated womens community... sleep with open doors to the center courtyard... enjoy safety and privacy
- Citrus Orchard & Veggie Garden... all composted with our restaurant scraps.
- Maya Spa... All natural affordable spa Maya treatments... spoil yourself silly.
- Large Indoor yoga/wellness studio...